The Seattle Sounders are hosting Minnesota United on Saturday in their first of two meetings this season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch for free on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM in English and El Rey 1360AM in Spanish.
2023 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 5-2-1 (16 points, 3rd West), Loons: 3-2-2 (11 points, 6th West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: LWWWD, Minnesota: LLWDW
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders defeated the Loons 3-1 at Lumen Field on May 15, 2022. Robin Lod opened the scoring for the visitors in the 34th minute, but Seattle responded with three unanswered second-half goals via a Raúl Ruidíaz penalty, a Cristian Roldan golazo and a Nicolás Lodeiro coup de grâce in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
ONE PLANET KIT: In honor of Earth Day, Major League Soccer and adidas have unveiled the One Planet Kit, which will be worn league-wide on Matchday 9 this weekend. Made entirely out of Parley Ocean plastic, the hand-drawn kit pays homage to the ocean floor. You can learn more about the initiative here.
ONE-WAY TRAFFIC: The Sounders own a 10-1-1 record against Minnesota United since the Loons’ entrance into MLS in 2017. Seattle’s .833 winning percentage is the best for any single team against a single opponent it’s played at least 10 times in league history.
BOUNCE BACK: Following a loss at the Portland Timbers last week, the Sounders will be looking to get back in the win column in the friendly confines of Lumen Field. Seattle is 3-0-1 at home so far in 2023 with four consecutive clean sheets to open the campaign.
RUIDÍAZ HEATING UP: Since returning from an injury to begin the season, Ruidíaz has two goals on the trot and is reminding everyone around MLS why he’s one of the league’s best No. 9s. The Peruvian Designated Player has four career goals against the Loons.
LOONS WITHOUT REYNOSO: Minnesota has been without star playmaker Emanuel Reynoso all year, as he has yet to report to the team from his native Argentina. The 27-year-old has 16 goals and 28 assists in 71 regular-season matches since joining from Boca Juniors in 2020.
MIDFIELD REINFORCEMENT: Minnesota recently debuted new signing Sang-Bin Jeong, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who signed from Wolves in the English Premier League. Jeong never appeared for Wolves, though, as he went on loan to Grasshoppers in the Swiss First Division. The U22 Initiative signing has one South Korea cap and looks to be an integral part of the Loons’ plans moving forward.
SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE: Minnesota is one of only five winless teams at home so far this season, but the Loons have had tremendous success on the road, going 3-1-0 away from Saint Paul. However, they have never even taken a road point in Seattle in seven all-time meetings at Lumen Field (0-7-0) and have been outscored 17-5.
